OBA Chairman Michael Fahy said, “We expect to field a full slate. We also will, in the near future be announcing candidates for the next general election.”

“We are excited by the people that have applied to run for the OBA and believe the community at large will also be excited by the quality, experience and depth of the candidate we will announce.”

The date for the next general election has not yet been announced, however speculation continues to grow that an election will be called in upcoming months.

In 2007, the PLP won 22 seats, while the UBP won 14. There has been a fair amount of party switching since then, with two UBP MPs joining the PLP, three joining the BDA and later the OBA, and seven joining the OBA.

Some of the close wins by the PLP in the 2007 election included Dame Jennifer Smith in St George’s North winning by 25 votes [474-449] over the UBP’s Kenneth Bascome, and Zane DeSilva in Southampton East Central winning by 48 votes [569-521] over the UBP’s David Dodwell.

Glenn Blakeney in Devonshire North Central picked up a win over the UBP’s Albertha Waite by a margin of 57 votes [433-376] and Dale Butler won by 68 votes [494-426] over the UBP’s Gina Spence in Warwick North East.

Close votes in favour of the Opposition during the last election included Bob Richards in Devonshire East winning by 27 votes [402-375] over the PLP’s Neville Tyrell, and Kim Swan winning by 17 votes [457-440] over the PLP’s Dean Foggo.

You got that right bro, please people, don't vote PLP just because of race, that doesn't get us anywhere.. Look at the US, its mostly White and they voted in Obama. Look at the facts and how Bermuda is going downhill, just like Obama, we need change..

The UBP fielded a full slate in 03 and 07. the OBA will need more than a full slate. They will need decent candidates than can appeal to the masses. And this appeal has to be tangible not just superficial!

A politically illiterate voter base living in the past , hellbent on 'payback' and blinded by hate will keep the PLP 'in' . Ultimately , they will be solely responsible for the demise of this island , not 'whitey'.

@ new gerrymanderings 'A politically illiterate voter base living in the past , hellbent on ‘payback’ and blinded by hate will keep the PLP ‘in’'

An interesting description for sure. And who do you want the politically illiterate voter base to vote for'? I have previously posted about the need for a fundamental respect for voters. Did any one use such a description when voters returned the UBP in successive elections - I think not! Just because the voters do not accept your point of view does not deem them to be politically illiterate. Or will you consider them to be 'enlightened overnight' if the OBA win the next election...

Ah 'whitey' is to blame. 'Whitey' is to be blamed for everything that has gone wrong. Bermuda's decay started way before 1998 and that is a FACT. I will not vote OBA because I am not for PLP, which is what 'blinded by hate' people will do. OBA has proven they can not be trusted already, so only a 'politically illiterate voter' would vote for them. WE THE PEOPLE OF BERMUDA, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEMISE OF THIS ISLAND. Through greed and personal gains, we have lost our way, this is what 'whitey' wanted. Money is man made, thus recessions are man made, FACT. We continue to fuss and fight amongst ourselves and not unite for the good of all. I am sorry, but OBA does not represent the future of Bermuda.

An Island of 65,000 people with 36 candidates is obsurd, too many cooks in the kitchen. That is roughly one candidate per 1,800 people. do we seriously need that many politicians and paychecks for that matter? Again the were the PLP not the ones that increased the number of seats?

Bermuda needs reform of it's political system, we are the size of a village but have the political system of a large country.

@ Bermyman 'were the PLP not the ones that increased the number of seats'... what are you referring to? There were previously 20 dual seat constituencies - i.e. 40 MPs.

Love her or hate her, one legacy of Dame Jennifer is that she ushered in the new era of one man, one vote, one vote of equal value - thus we have 36 constituencies of roughly the same size. Therefore we truly vote on the basis of equal votes in Bermuda. The next election will be interesting... we shall see what the voters think.

If Dame J , and the PLP had corrected the 'historical inequities' of the old system then how come the PLP now gets 52% of the popular vote and 65+% of the seats ?

At least with the old system someone could split their vote and still have a rep in the house for them .. Now under the great new deceptive system half of the population has no voice whatsoever. And don't try to tell me that the PLP represents everyone .. another fallacy.

@ new gerrymanderings - and it was certainly possible under the old system to win a majority of seats and less than 50% of the popular seats.

With regard to 'representing everyone', it is factual. One glaring example is that the PLP settled the issue of longterm residency which was left outstanding by the previous UBP. All sectors benefitted the from the grant of PRC status.

If you look at the PLP Parliamentary group (MPs and Senators), they are diverse and include all elements of the traditional Bermuda groupings.

This is what I have wondered for some time! Why does it take so many politicians for 65,000 people??? These MPs are nothing more than figure heads to take a paycheck for doing VERY little. Consultants do all the work. It's no wonder these MP'S don't understand all the criticism they receive. It's like "why are you getting mad at me, I don't really do anything"

Typical PLP response. Never anything but wiseass conjecture. No real response...just wiseass comments. Not one person in Bermuda knows who will win the next election. You may have an opinion but from what I've seen here it's all baseed on the past...and I guess these clowns continue to think they will push the OBA into the same corner as they pushed the UBP..we shall see.

I agree with one thing...another 5 years under the fools we have now and we will be heading down the drain fast. Or maybe these clowns making these idiot comments can tell me what opositive signs they see for recovery ??

The PLP has voters they deceived at the last elecion. They stole money from voters and flushed the economy down the toilet. Now Bermudians struggle to find jobs while Government ministers collect fat paychecks.

The legacy of the PLP will be the failed, poor and desperate Island called Bermuda of tomorrow. Were half way there another term and this Island is done!

We already are doomed. Honestly the PLP has done so much damage combined with the recession that it won't matter who wins the next election. The problems can't be fixed in four years as we have seen with Obama and U.S. The recession wont' be over for at LEAST another five years. Even when it's over, things WILL NEVER be like before. Bermuda's growth has been fully tapped. We officially have enough office space, condos, and homes on the market to last a lifetime! Tourism is verging on unsustainable. All we have is IB and instead of making it easier for them, we make it harder. The money is drying up in the middle class, the poor never had it to spend, and the rich aren't spending!!

IB had it's part in our demise too. Yes it pumped money into the island but oh boy are we paying for it now and we are left with the mess to clean up. You can not blame the PLP for the rich not spending. Money is Man Made, so Recessions are Man Made Too. PLP can only control what it gets, the rest is out of their hands. OBA will never be a better option.

IB is and was our only economy for the last 15+ years you idiot! Without it we would be the equivalent of Haiti! Why because the PLP have no idea how to run a country. We could be the jewel of east coast tourism but we are not! why? because the people in charge have no friken clue and they will continue to if we vote them back in.

I seem to recall Mrs Gordon Pamplin canvassing last year saying that the BDA members that ran under the UBP banner were unethical and she had lost respect for them. Hmm...now they are one happy family...I think NOT.

Royal Gazette, November 14, 2007 “However, Mr. Ratneser said during yesterday’s appeal proceedings: “The position is although the media have tried to make it out that there’s a lot of fraud that’s been done at the BHC, that’s not correct.” He said that although an allegation of widespread fraud will form part of Smith’s appeal: “There’s absolutely no evidence of that. There will be no evidence before Your Lordships. These statements are very, very dangerous.” “

they had to deceive you to quote someone whose name we cannot say...ask your Government to tell you how many people are unemployed...ask them to tell you how much revenue is below projections...ask them for the results of the census.....they are incompetent beyond measure....

To some degree we can credit Crockwell, Hunt and Pettingill since they had the courage to form the original BDA (do you remember what that stands for?). The balance of the former UBP MPs that joined the now OBA (Gibbons, Moniz, Richards, Jackson, Dunkley, Simons, Gordon Pamplin and Barritt) have publicly admitted that they joined not for fundamental agreement on the core beliefs of the OBA but simply because they believe an alliance is their best hope for victory... will we all see the rumoured consultants report that purportedly recommended a 'feigned UBP split and reuniting under a new name'?

Remember also that the OBA wanted some of the UBP stalwarts in 'safe seats' to give up their seats in favour of some 'new blood'. Lets see if the likes of Gibbons, Moniz, Simons, Pamplin Gordon and others follow the publicly stated path of Barritt to resign their seats. I think we collectively agree that MP Jackson (aka aunt Louise) will choose to enjoy her senior years after doggedly defending the rights of seniors. Add to that the assumed consternation of Dunkley if he loses the leadership to Cannonier and thus the Barritt 'safe seat'!!

On the PLP side, it will be interesting to see the political outcome for MPs Tucker and Furbert. Firstly, will they be chosen as PLP candidates and secondly will they survive the election? I think the money is on Furbert to succeed but the pundits are hedging their bets on Tucker.

On the UBP side will there be the 'Swan song' duet? Perhaps the eastern Swan will survive but the western Swan is more than likely headed for the sunset...

All in all, no matter your political pursuasion, we have to admit that the next election is shaping up to be quite an interesting affair.

Good for the OBA. Lets hope that they are all quality people who have real experience in managing rather than being a tight little club of friends & family. This is is how we wound up with a tourism minister whose only experience in tourism was a stint as a waitress at a hotel dining room. We have a finance minister who is a lawyer, not an accountant, an auditor or another financial profession.

But hey...Bermuda...you have what you voted for since 1998. You were warned. You got what you deserved. Unless you are in the 'friends & family plan' sucking up taxpayer money, are you better off today than 1998. Is your job secure? Do you have a job? How is the crime rate in your area? Anyone you know been shot? How do you like this "NEW BERMUDA"?

If you could swallow your pride with “I'm the only one talking sense now” attitude you would understand what I said. I'm not for the PLP and I'm still waiting to for the OBA to prove they are for Bermuda. What I said meant the longer you and others try to goad PLP supporters in the manner you do you will only further galvanize their resolve. For such a smart commenter you still have not figured this out. Try a different approach I know your frustration.

Some people laud C.V. "Jim" Woolrdige as being the best Tourism Minister that Bermuda has ever seen. He was trained as a dental technician. Former Finance Minister, Dr. David Saul has a degree in Education. Dr. Grant Gibbons has a science degree. The OBA (UBP) is now contemplating Craig Cannonier, a man whose parliamentary experience equates to two months as a senator, as their next leader. I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

Laverne, you are right. Being in the Senate does not take much more than being a party hack hoping to get elected somewhere next time around...but you know that. It used to be a respected place where seasoned RESPECTED semi retired polititians or business people would sort of oversee legislation from the LOWER House. Not anymore. The Senate is now a knidergarden, a training ground, for the most part, for political wannabes.

I believe Mr Cannonier has successful business interests, something that puts him in a good stead for having a part in managing Bermuda.

BTW, Jim Woolridge WAS the best Tourism Minister Bermuda ever had. The man is a Master salesman. He is still at it. Caught him on Front St this week helping Tourists.

Triangle Drifter, while you find it difficult to show respect some "seasoned, semi retired politicians", I can assured that you are in the minority in your estimation of me. The difference between you and me, is that I have no fear in letting you know who I am and how I think. I am not a "cyber klansman" like you and others on this site.

From Wikipedia ""Klan members adopted masks and robes to hide their identities".

And, If as you say, the Senate is a "knidergarden(sic), a training ground", why would the OBA/UBP take some one out of the kindergarten class and put him in a PhD programme? It makes no sense to me.

If you had made yourself known, maybe you could be sitting in the Senate, or the House of Assembly today. You seem to have a lot to say about Bermuda politics. With all that you have to say on the blogs, all three parties should be looking to recruit you - PLP, UBP and OBA. You appear to be such an intelligent man.

Senator Furbert- that last comment of yours was appalling. I cannot believe Bermudian politics has sunk so low as paid officials of the government making racist slurs on a news website. I'd advise restraint.

Agreed. Senator Furbert must restrain herself. She embarrasses the party repeatedly and I shutter to think of the weight her opinions and positions take when we really need her to think for all of Bermuda.

It is becoming obvious to me that several politicians are now reading Bernews and becoming very worried at the types of sentiment being displayed toward them. I said it before - an anonymous post does not dilute the message. So you learn my name? The message will still be the same! You need to ask yourself WHY we do not use our name. We do not use our name because the PLP has created an environment of fear and recrimination. The first thing you do is start calling people racist. Big mistake, and very immature. This shows you have no substantive thoughts or ideas to rely on. That "racist" cry is the lazy way out.

Senator Furbert, you have, in my opinion, negatively affected the esteem of the Senate. You do not need to know my name to think about what I have just written. All the best to you, Madam Senator.

In this regard I agree with Triangle LaVerne you talk about respect but that is earned and nothing that your have publicly stated while repin your party has respect in it sorry just calling it like I see it. Cyber Klan wow you do hone the art of exaggeration don't you even through a picture of white supremacy in there. You are undeniable a hater.

LOL .oh and Terry is right you got in the Senate not for your great inovative ideas as to date I have yet to hear one from you. All you do is publically trash people and there ideas. You even did it in this thread.

You haven't. Merely made yourself look even more ignorant. David Saul, when he was called, was leading the offshore operations of Fidelity Investments- which manages billions in assets, and at that time, employed more than 100 employees. Clearly, Saul had an understanding of the capital markets and what was fueling Bermuda's growth of the IB industry at that time, helped by legislation supported by James Pearman, and others. He was imminently qualified. Terrible people skills, I will give you that.

Dr. Grant Gibbons - to suggest that Dr. Gibbons is not qualified is laughable. Dr. Gibbons, with James Gibbons, reigns over what is the single largest Bermudian empire in Bermuda. We all could learn lessons from him. The tentacles of the Gibbons regime far extend our Bermuda shores. And quietly they continue to grow and manage well their fiscal growth. Recently captured First Bermuda. And when HSBC pulls out of Bermuda - which they will I predict particularly if we try to manage their retail margins - the entity most likely to take control of the retail banking busienss will be Gibbons Group. He'll be managing the finances of all Bermudians when that happens! And he has a PhD from Harvard - an institution where unfortunately so many of our public school graduates would not qualify to even clean the floors! Of those you have listed, Dr. Gibbons is probably the most qualified person that we have to manage the economy. Richards is too one-dimensional and he has no siginficant exposure to the issues of true wealth generation.

Craig Cannonier - like you, he has no formal education or real extended political experience, but an obvious passion for the people of Bermuda and a desire to "get it right" cuz he knows things are "very wrong" right now. He is no better qualified than any number of Bermudians, yourself included, to hold the seat that he has. The issues you speak of and are asked to vote are simply too big and we are all in danger due to that. Would you want an unqualified person piloting your next fight?

Lastly, can't speak to Jim Woolridge. And Patrice Parris, I know personally and she is bright, articulate and to a signifciant degree gets it. You do not have to have a degree or have worked in the industry since 16 to understand what makes it tick today. Ask Carvel Van Putten if he thinks he has what it takes to be the Minister.

I should note lastly - that I am a lifetime member of the PLP. But Senator, with all due respect, I could not ignore your most recent post. Ignorance is not bliss.

And people like LV will continue to stir the race pot. She wonders why folk hide behind names. It is because plp has a history of calling ppl like me racist for simply criticizing plp. Unfair but it works. When pulling the race card stops working plp will have zilch nada nothing. They are pathetic in the extreme.